Today’s Men’s News (10/30)

Written by: Staff on 30th October 2012

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Today's Men's News (10/30)

epa03452166 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France returns the ball to Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain during their match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 30 October 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Paris

Singles – First Round: (WC) P Mathieu def. (Q) R Bautista-Agut 6-4 7-5

Paul-Henri Mathieu had a very good draw here, but still, he’s finishing quite strong. Could he make it to the Top Fifty here?

Singles – First Round: (Q) G Dimitrov def. J Melzer 7-6(7-2) 6-2

After moving back into the Top Thirty last week, Jurgen Melzer loses his chance to consolidate the ranking. Still, it looks as if he did well enough this month to earn an Australian Open seed.

Singles – First Round: (Q) I Sijsling def. A Dolgopolov 6-4 6-2

One week after putting himself firmly back into the Top Twenty, Alexandr Dolgopolov fizzles. He’ll probably end the year around #17 or #18.

Singles – First Round: (WC) M Llodra def. D Gimeno-Traver 7-5 6-3

Michael Llodra got a little lucky here; he was supposed to face Radek Stepanek. It appears he will be stuck in Australian Open qualifying even so.

Singles – First Round: J Chardy def. (Q) G Garcia-Lopez 6-0 6-3

This might be enough to earn Jeremy Chardy a year-end Top Thirty spot; one more win would assure it. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez will of course end the year below the Top Fifty.

Singles – First Round: S Querrey def. F Verdasco 6-1 1-1, retired

This costs Fernando Verdasco his chance to end the year in the Top Twenty. These two came in almost tied in the Race; this means Querrey will end the year the higher-ranked.

Singles – Second Round: (5) T Berdych def. A Seppi 7-6(8-6) 6-2

Tomas Berdych has a faint chance of reaching #5 this week — which would spell the #4 seed in London. A pretty good motivation to do well. To add to his fun, he is in the quarter that Roger Federer vacates. Andreas Seppi will end the year probably #22 or #23, depending on whether Sam Querrey wins or loses his next match.

Singles – Second Round: (6) J Tsonga def. J Benneteau 6-2 4-6 7-6(7-2)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga hasn’t formally clinched his London spot yet, but it could happen as early as tomorrow — and if it doesn’t, he can clinch on Thursday by reaching the quarterfinal. He’s that close.

Singles – Second Round: (Q) J Janowicz def. (13) M Cilic 7-6(8-6) 6-2

So maybe Marin Cilic knew what he was doing when he signed up for doubles. He was the first seed to lose here. That formally eliminated him from the Race. He will probably end the year at #15. Certainly no higher.

Singles – Second Round: (15) K Nishikori def. (WC) B Paire 7-6(7-2) 6-2

Kei Nishikori might have ended the year outside the Top Twenty had he lost this, but this makes his Top Twenty spot look pretty safe. Benoit Paire will be a little below #40.

Singles – Second Round: (16) S Wawrinka def. C Berlocq 6-3 6-2

Stanislas Wawrinka also looks safe in the Top Twenty. Carlos Berlocq will probably be just below the Top Fifty.

Doubles – First Round: Hanley/Marray def. Kohlschreiber/Mayer 7-5 6-1

A week before London, and Marray is not playing with Nielsen? Hm.

Doubles – First Round: F Lopez/Zimonjic def. Llodra/Roger-Vasselin 6-4 4-6 11-9 (Match TB)

Llodra/Zimonjic did not qualify for London this year, so they don’t absolutely have to play together, but this doesn’t seem like the best news for next year….